[PUBLIC EPISODE] The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One: ep044 "To the Bone"
The keen mind is king, and you are not in your tower. You are here with us, underground, haunting the foundations of the world, a shadow, here to offer and support the force. In front of you is a cellar door and a brush of blood. Choose quick: Wear the muzzle, or grow some teeth. By a turning of the coin, you are awake and remember you are dreaming still.
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We are
Produced, designed, and scored by Taylor Moore at Fortunate Horse with exquisite design and editing help from Jared Olson.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Amanda Fredberg and of course, Shannon.
Album art by the great Corey Brickley
Comments (245)
Brennan/Erika - I am hoping to get "Be Kind. Be Cunning." as a tattoo. Would you be kind enough to post a picture of these phrases written down? And choose between yourselves who writes/ who suits which phrase best?
I suppose it is too late now, so close to the end of the story, but may we please have content warnings for future WBN episodes if possible? Hearing animal suffering even briefly is really upsetting for me 🥺 Thank you so much; the show is amazing 🙏
This has to be my favourite episode of the season. Amé's flashbacks hit so close to home and reminds me so much of "I was there, and not yet there. I was rage. I was a child."
Well, I owe you Lou/Aabria, because the phrase "slow is smooth, and smooth is fast" is paying dividends for me at work 👌🏻
I'm always so grateful for the transcripts but theres something odd about the ones for 43/44. I suddenly cant search through them or copy/paste text which is annoying because I love to search through and extract my favourite quotes
I came here for this transcript specifically and found myself running into the same issue. I want to quote it for my Substack. In the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal and I can type it up, but yeah, not my favorite. :(
I would have kept Keen alive. He would have been useful... even without his tounge. >_> A.G.
Anybody else have a really bad feeling about the dispelling agent ?
Possible involuntary Ghost plasma donations? She interviewed with the Glass Coronet, and considering how quickly she told the party about her abilities due to there usefulness I doubt she'd leave it out of what would be the biggest interview of her life. Sadly it's very likely she is being taken advantage of for worse than she was in Port Talon.
Does anyone know if they still do transcripts? There’s one that’s auto generated in Apple Podcasts but I’d definitely read a more polished one if they’ve got it! Much more doable to read stressful situations rather than listen haha.
They do but it runs a little behind. It looks like it's catching up though. The transcript for 42 is now up.
just got caught up, and this is my favorite arc so far! so many story moments that i thought would take many more months or years to happen have started to come around, and I’m just listening in bed while shedding a tear every few minutes. I always knew Suvi could do it, but i never imagined it would feel so satisfying. Aabria is a great storyteller because she’s so good at making me hate and love her all at the same time, and it’s a thrill! and literally i kid you not, i was adding up in my head all the times each PC has gotten to have personal story moments about family, and I was like huh… Ame really never talks about her family ever, i wonder if they’ll ever touch on that, and then BAM it happens immediately after lol
This one felt so fast,so dense, I had no idea an hour had past when it ended
Gosh that last fight was so cathartic. How we needed that in the world right now - the baddie got it good.
Having too much fun relisting to this episode again and again. Definitely going to ask my players to describe things more. Also Eursalon rolling 21s and flicking the guy off his sword ruled. v excited for the next installment
Really curious if there was any way aside from breaking the demon binding circle for Ame to escape. i assume she auto-failed the initial binding cause of sleep but wanted to know how the circles work mechanis wise, if it can be revealed at this time.
I loved the scene with Ame and her fox reflection. Especially that Erika provided us with a very strong Pratchett-esque dichotomy between what's kind and what's right, emphasizing that her need to be kind should not supersede the need to do what's Right. ...only for Brennan to say, "Uh-huh, but what I was getting at was maybe don't look under every basket you find propped up with a stick and an Ame treat."
man, this show is somethin else. i have endless love for suvi. himbo energy from eioghorain has counterintuitively made him even hotter than before, so, thanks for that. eursalon in the basement had me pacing around my flat. couldn't stay still. everything ame & the fox did gave me shivers. i'm one big goosebump. ok so, sidenote: some teeny parallels with ame make my head spin. in late 2017, after moving into temporary accommodation, I got a tattoo on my wrist that says, "be kind". it faces towards me, for me to read. about a year ago i knew i had to embrace being cunning; it was the only way to flush out some sneaky bigots and make them expose their true nature. it paid off just this week. this show always hits Just Right. !!!!! storytelling !!!!!!
OH and i forgot to add - Ame's childhood flashback? yeah i grew up catholic & queer in a village in Scotland in the '90s while section 28 (2a) was in effect. schoolkids i didn't even know would come up to tell me what their parents said about me. Ame's story has been wonderful to listen to. Thanks for this, folks. 💜
Incredible episode as always... But the lack of any kind of content warnings really bothers me, tbh. I was lucky to see a content warning online before listening so I was prepared. Please consider adding some kind of warning to your episode descriptions!!
There's been discussion of this on the Reddit as well. I also complained about this in the comments of The Clearing. Unfortunately, at this point I think if we want to see change in this way, we'll need to make it ourselves as a fan community. The Magnus Archive fan community has a good example of what this would look like: a database of all the episode with potential triggers related to the monster of the week. I think if there are some other fans with free time we should definitely organise something like this and maybe put it on the WBN wiki with spoilered text for the contrarians saying that content warnings spoil the episode for them Edit: Respond if you're interested
I feel like these moments are what begins their transformation into what they will become - three beings of unrivaled power, a triumvirate presiding over both realms
Forever grateful that I found this podcast. This is so amazing. And the things I felt as Keen said (paraphrased) "from the moment I saw you in that beer garden I knew I had to have you". Such a perfect twist on what could have been a line from any romance novel and here it just twists your guts. So amazing. Thank you thank you! And pour one out for Vandal. (how do ink demons work? Is he dead?)
The ink demons can be respelled for like 10 gold pieces, which I believe is payed for by the tower of the glove typically but surely Suvi could do it herself as well.
I just love how unafraid and mature Brennan is with his descriptions. Describing torture like that was really powerful without it feeling cheap for shock value. He truly is the Mozart of storytelling.
I would love to know if the revelation about Ame's village and family were a revelation to Erika or if she and Brennan had worked out her whole backstory from the beginning. There's a lot Aabria doesn't know about Suvi's backstory. If it was a revelation to Erika, has Brennan known this part the whole time, or did he just set up "Ame was abandoned by parents who couldn't handle her" and is improvising the details? I need the Fireside Chat!!!
Honestly what an amazing episode! It was a lot but soooo powerful
I was holding my fox plushie so tight
I just got mine in the mail, I'm so excited to listen with him!
Just caught up! 2 questions: 1) Did the Fox Spirit say 'WRONG!!' to Ame???? 2) Suvi is so interesting. 'Princess' is correct - Born to a friend of the Sword of the Citadel, the child of a power couple, uniquely talented in her own right - how many times did she get bailed out to not be completely paranoid to the chain of command and consequences? So interesting. banger episode. great stuff.
Keen was such a great character. So many characters are subtly evil, was fun to see a true villain. Glad that bastard got his.
One of my favorite episodes ever 🥲 coming over here from Spotify to comment because GODDAMN that was so good. This is my favorite show ever 💓
Terrific episode! I’ve never been more sure Ame is more Granny Weatherwax than Nanny Ogg! Being good is not the same as being kind! ❤️
Fantastic episode. Just have a quick question about how Ame's curses work. When she triggers the retributive curse and the fox fire lights surround Keen, is the Curse tag (or whatever you would call it) scrubbed from Keen? Is the curse for just one direct action. During the fight when Keen was biting the fox I kept thinking that would trigger another blast of the curse. Thanks in advance!
this episode was a LOT but the most harrowing moment was "this would be the moment for [the Fox] to say something funny and charming...but he is an animal" because I was convinced Keen had somehow taken away the Fox's magical prefrontal cortex and he no longer cared about Ame or had the capacity to demand fish slurry. I'm not sure if I could have forgiven that.
This episode was so stressful that I had to listen to it twice and attempting to calm down i finished my dishes, taxes, built a shelf and did my laundry.
Fk this is a mood - I busted out so much work doing the same
Can't wait to seen the Keen fan art. Bc I've already combined Scar and Jafar in my head.
Tears in my eyes
I‘m always listening to this on my way to work or when I’m on walks. I’ve been in public transport this morning making the wildest faces while trying not to SCREAM and kick my feet. I LOVE THIS STORY SO MUCH.
Me too! I always save the episodes for my commute and the last few episodes have been like coming up from an ice bath when the outro music starts to play. Total immersion. And a good exercise is controlling you facial expressions.
This episode had me HOLLERING
This is my hope; after the children are saved, I think Eursolon should use his train ticket to meet Tefmet, of course Suvi and Ame will be invited too.
Talk about a big damn hero moment for Ursulon. That was an epic rescue. The sound design, the high stakes, the plots moving forward. Bloody excellent episode
The sound design in this episode really sold the horror of Ame and the fox's Imprisonment 10,000%. I am curious whether they did any b-roll for the screams, especially with the fox or if some of that was just in the moment and edited over other dialogue very tactfully?
A brilliant episode. Amazing plays by everyone. Moving forward to unknown dangers but with a greater conviction to face them as their truest selves. I am excited to see what comes next.
Anyone else catch Brennan dropping that Keen had a namecloak? It was right as he gets sliced… I thought guild mages were not supposed to have namecloaks. Is Keen a member of the League of Whispers?
They do- they just don’t get the fancy S names. Morrow was a namecloak, too.
keen one of the nastiest motherfuckers brennan has ever played. what’s that about
One of the most satisfyingly brief villains in herstory
I receive my talking fox plush the same day I listened to this episode. Was this intentional?? Did you do this to break me?
KILL THE BAD BAD MAN LETS GOOOOO
The quote that fucked with me from this one was "this is the dream, and the things that are real are dreams of the things that are not." Had to rewind and hear that one again.
I listen to all the episodes while I walk my dogs and I startled them (& 2 rando joggers) constantly this morning screaming and cheering along! Thank y’all for making my AM walks so fun!
not to comment like a tumblr girlie but I am screaming crying throwing up Ame the fox witch and BE CUNNING!??!?!?!?! HNNNNNNNNNNNG. Chills. literally.
Can I just take a minute to shout out the STUNNING episode descriptions that are published with each episode! They so effortlessly stoke my anxiety and anticipation before each episode without giving away any of the twists and turns to come and add so much to my post-listening experience. They’re almost like an epilogue and riddle combined and they gives additional gravitas to the unfolding story. Not sure who writes them but — GODDAMN
“…an older woman and her wife running the store” *waving lesbian flag with anxiety*
Lol! That was my bisexual reaction as well!
Man the double team supreme beat down Ame and Eursulon gave out to the wizard keen (with a lil help from the best character 🦊) was so much fun to experience!
rest in piss Vandal, you cheeky genital-less fucker
(complimentary)
Aabria’s done some masterful rping in setting up Suvi’s rapport with Eiorghann and Brennan’s really enhancing her choices so well. It’s quickly becoming one of my favourite PC/NPC relationships, one where you could contentedly listen to them get coffee for 3 hours.
That SNARL when Suvi fell into disrespecting spirits? Chilling
I feel silly asking but could anyone tell me how to submit questions for the fireside? I swear I saw this mentioned somewhere but I can’t find it now…
It's under the pinned post at the top too (https://www.patreon.com/posts/faq-me-faq-you-78044362), but here is the form link, Honored Friend! https://forms.gle/S8paSygMkh3P4SZJ6
Wait, wait, wait! Vandal? Someone get Vandal!
noooooo not my nastiest emotional degredation villain 😭 happy to see him go, but i was looking forward to seeing him get even NASTIER
OMG this is soooo gooood!! I'm curious about the recording setup they use. Have they published a pic or any information?
It’s not complicated. Four mics in a quiet room.
Amazing planning and strategy by Lou. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Eursulon had to infiltrate first without getting caught, then face 3 powerful mages in close quarters while ensuring that Fox and Ame weren’t turned into casualties. His dice had his back, his plan worked beautifully. Chef’s kiss. Love the banter and interplay between Suvi and Eioghorain. They have so much chemistry!!! Also, his POV on this world being the dream and not the other way around…. wait what? Can’t be leaving us hanging like that bro. And there’s so much more depth to Ame now. I may be misremembering, but I think up until this episode, we didn’t really know much about Ame’s life before Grandma Ren. I think we just knew that her parents wanted to “fix” her. Eursulon and Suvi seemed just a bit (just a bit!) more nuanced in that we have had a better peek and understanding of their relationship with their parent(s). That shit is COMPLICATED. Ame as a character just seems more whole now. Thanks, Brennan and Erika for another wonderful puzzle piece for us to enjoy and dissect.
it's so rare that I listen to an episode more than twice in the two week span between releases - well I listened to it 4 times yesterday ... suffice it to say that episode was amazing!! thank you 5 so much for all the work that goes into these <3
I've listened to it three times. This might be my favorite episode of this specific arc so far.
Ok can’t lie I bawled my eyes out for the fox. Again, guys, you’ve outdone yourselves - this episode slaps. Can’t get enough of y’all.
Absolutely loved the backstory and the comeuppance. I have not felt that much satisfaction for a villain death in a good while
Real talk though… was Eioghorain always………. Southern? Did anyone else feel like he developed an accent this episode?
i think its more we only have heard him in his shifted form
Shiiiiiiiiiiit The first sound of Ame screaming through her closed mouth brought burning tears to my eyes. I GASPED when Keen knew Eursulon was coming and bound him!! Cannot believe the amount of Ame character development in a wonderfully scratchy, gritty and deep way, nor can I believe the torture they made us listen to at the beginning. THE PAYOFF THOOOO that fight was the best dnd fight I’ve ever heard, period
I feel like that one Make Some Noise prompt may have awakened something in Brennan.
👀😂
If you haven't listened to it yet, try not to do it while ppl are sleeping. You'll likely want to be able to make many loud sounds w/o disrupting others. I had to do lots of motions and there were a few times I was unable to restrain myself. SO GOOD!
YOU SHOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE TRICKERY *cackles off into the night*
Omg do NOT start this episode late at night if u need to sleep! This was so good!!!!
Me at exactly 12:40am finishing this episode. I have made a mistake....but the deep satisfaction will surely bring us good dreams.
Very interesting reveal that Ame's parents were potentially trying to protect her by sending her away. Still wrong that they thought ill of their daughter for being different but makes a little more sense they would go to Grandma Wren.
Yeah, that bit was surprising in a couple of ways. I was not expecting to sympathize with the parents. Then we don't see them tell Grandma Wren anything other than "she is possessed by something" and "she is not...proper." Good reason for Grandma Wren to despise them, but I find it hard to believe they would not have mentioned the mob wanting to drown their 5-year-old daughter. Also, I was picturing a village family, not one with money enough to have a house with a "nursery."
Damn damn damn I can’t get enough! And I NEED this escape bc the world is TERRIBLE
So beautiful and so fucking good!!
I wonder what Keen really thinks of witchcraft I hear he's of two minds about it
Absolutely incredible 😂
This episode was so fucking good, the whole time. The petty bitch in me is ready for Witch Con 2: Break The Imperium Into Itty Bitty Peices, because god damn, way to poison the well of your ONE SINGLE ALLY in the coven of Elders, by trying to trap and hold Ame. This isn’t realistic, but I will be out here hoping for some eventual acknowledgement from SOMEBODY in the Imperium (might be Steel? Or Hot Prince? IDK LET ME DREAM) of how badly they fucked up by letting the Glass Coronet betray the ONLY witchy ally they had that was shielding them from a lot of shit.
Ame to Suvi: can we join the war against the wizards nooooow? Lol
giggling and kicking my feet as two of my besties commit brutal murder 😌
Is Vandal ok???
I'm worried about the little guy
Hands up who else has developed an even keener loathing of Keen with every moment he’s had in the past few episodes! 🙋♀️
Holy shit I didn’t breathe. I need to take a shower
Another HOT episode. The music is hot, the sound design is hot, the mics were hot, the angst is hot, EVERYONE IS HOT. 🥵 OBSESSED
YOOOOOOOOOOO GET REKT KEEN
Brennan, is Eioghorain slightly inspired/influenced by Saw Gerrera??? Getting some strong “gotta kill to stop the killing” links going on
AME THE UNFLINCHING, FIRST OF HER NAME.
Brennan was not kidding when he told Eursulon that Keen was the most evil man he had ever seen, good lord. 5 minutes in and I was ready for him to die a gruesome death. What an episode! Dare I say, this is the best DnD actual play show on right now.
Truly, my jaw was on the floor. So, so heinous. Comeuppance RICHLY deserved!!!!
The STORY, the ACTING this episode was legit!!! bravo
Eioghorain casually dropping Druidic cosmic horror on us damn
No because really wow that was something. I need to go relisten because just wowwie wow
The old creeky house noises made this feel like I was there! Taylor and Jared as always, amazing job on sound design.
real grrm style line at the end, beautiful
insane that the talking fox plush got to my house today of all days, after crying about the fox at 10 AM
(Man remind me to submit that last scene to the animatic questionaire later omfg)
Hey Erika! What's it like having Ame Officially join the "she could kill me and id thank her" club?? ♡♡♡
my GOD yall: 1) these character revelations from Ame were so incredible hats off to Erika for your character creation and portrayal 2) i did not think we were gonna get rid of keen this quickly and i am THRILLED BEYOND BELIEF
This episode was SO satisfying
The craziest thing in this episode was Brennan whipping out "aides de camp" -- AND pluralizing it correctly -- mid-improv without missing a beat.
This was a serious episode!! The storytelling, the acting…THE DICE! Imma ride this high for the rest of the week! Thank you guys for another epic episode!
TAYLOR That KOYAANISQATSI ass throat singing vocal! Don't think I didn't catch you, the Wizard Score, absolutely flexing out here. What the fuck gang. What the absolute fuck. So good.
LOL i also thought it was koyaanisqatsi for a second
Hey guys this was fucking fantastic
I am such a sucker for sequences where characters learn to embrace the more primal and animalistic parts of themself. Ame’s attempt to replace “be kind” with something just as restrictive and narrow minded was great. We see that the reason Ame makes these drastic erratic decisions on a whim is to repress herself and uphold an idealized version of her mentor. If she embraces who she is, a creature of mischief and cunning, she becomes a witch more suited to the World’s Heart she now tends to. Empires and misguided Spirits don’t fall through kindness.
it has been said many times before but the world must be SO grateful that BLeeM is not real world evil
Marisha Ray said that exact thing on the Critical Role wrap up stream this Thursday. I agree. What a character.
I freaking knew it the dropping of the null cleft was the way the citadel could track it's wizards.
I’m still not sure if it’s the null cleft, the sapphire pendant, or both working together. ?
Do we think that name cloaks can be revoked? Like in a world where Suvi wasn't protected from scrying in general, could the Citadel revoke the cloaking of a treasonous wizard and thus remove the protections a cloak provides?
I remember. I just meant for other wizards that may find themselves labeled as traitors. More of a world building speculation. Like if a name cloak could only be removed with the aid of someone that knows the wizard's true name or if there's a super secret vault that stores true names in the event that cloaking needs to be undone or, alternatively, that no knowledge of the true name is required
Yo where do I buy some of Lou’s Blackjack dice??
As a chronic pain sufferer Brennan describes perfectly that ever increasing pain sensation that is not aided by any medication or technique.
Perhaps it is the cast’s incredible storytelling, or the insane amount of animation I have consumed, but the visuals for this show go crazy. One of the best episodes yet!
piss check. piss check
i was SCREAMING piss check during that scene. crazy that no one said anything.
I'm taking notes over here as keen makes my skin crawl how to make a good villain right there my lord Brennan you sick twisted fuck I LOVE IT!!!
FUCK YEAH I feel like I need to do a fucking victory lap
I loved listening to Keen get his shit rocked. As always Brennan makes fantastic villains I love to hate
Mechanics wise. Was Ame’s first curse from last episode still in effect or did Keen have less than 20 hit points?
“Pulling an Aabria” and “I GO HERE” - so much love for this story and the creators of it. I would posit the tooth pull was also Brennan pulling an Aabria oopa Burrows End style. So sick! Roll low, ROLL DEEP🤙
This is legit the best story I have ever been told before.
banger after banger after banger
Truly it is unending this is one of the best shows ever
Brennan is legit scary when he needs to be. Everything with Ame hurt. Everything with Eursulon was epic. Everything with Suvi was amazing. To me the *weight* of this episode perfect.
I was prepared to be so mad at Brennan but then he got me in the last half lol
ho. ly. fuck... the Ame flashback & reflection was insane, like you all go crazy with off-the-cuff scenes all the time but just another one for the fucking books. and the mental image of Keen's top half being held aloft by Ame's witches grasp as his bottom gets split in half by Eursulon is a thing of beauty, thank you for that haha
Omg omg omg, that combat was SO GOOD!! We’ve had some intense and really great combats this campaign, but THIS?!? This was on another level!! It was smaller scale than a lot of battles, but I was so much more invested. And Brennan was rolling like shit too!! It wasn’t even that close, but I was still on the edge of my seat. The dice tell their story, and in this case, that story is “don’t mess with a witch.”
TWENTY ONE!!!!!!!!!! GIVE IT UP FOR TWENTY ONE!!!!!!! MVP OF THE EPISODE IS THE NUMBER TWENTY ONE!!!!!!!!!
(Me doing little air punches)
absoloutely baller episode. one of the best pieces of media ive ever had the joy to listen to. im literally overcome lmao i need more lore neooww
Edit: the existing link is posted! Hey, so like... y'all (fellow fans) wanna make a WBN discord? I think that'd be super fun. 🥰
That would be awesome 😎
AIEEE this gave me chills! I feel like the Fox might not be happy with Ame for putting him in danger. This was hinted at when Ame first tried to reach out to him in her mind with the line something like "But you told him to go under that tarp and now you're both trapped". I hope he's not mad for too long!
Ugh I felt so sad in that part, hoping our little guy will forgive and they’ll heal after that. 😩
AME.
Dear Fireside Folk, we thank you. We thank you for the two great blessings this episode ended with, both the top half and the bottom half. We thank you for a perfect slice of narrative for a perfect bastard.
HOLY SHITBALLS
Taylor - how much yelling do you have to edit out every time Brennan switches to a new scene? I have to imagine it is a lot.
I imagine it is a lot. Because I'm yelling just as much. Lol
I adore Brennan's narrative ability to heighten drama - that scene with Ame lit by the lightning? Wow. So many awesome scenes for everyone this episode. Eursolon unleashing was something else. Hell yeah, Lou!
Those of us who listened to the Children's Adventure knew that this story would grapple with child abandonment eventually, but even so I had to pause and cry for baby Ame. And then to get the explicit explanation from Erika that Ame chooses kindness in part to make people think she is normal made the neurospicy part of me feel very very seen. That moment felt like incredible representation for neurodivergent folks who have had to hone masking techniques to be accepted by even their own families.
A lot of good things being said about this amazing episode but I need someone to cast identify on the powdery dispelling agent from the glass coronet. I gotta know if that’s connected to a certain Npc with innate dispelling abilities 👀
I came back to this too. Aabria has two of them now…hopefully she doesn’t forget to check.
Damn, Brennan, not the Fox! Those screams hit hard, especially when Ame has to contend with that being a result of her choices and actions, and having to justify it all. I really do love Ame getting this moment and being able to see that kindness for her is not innate but an active choice she makes. And the growth in realizing her cunning. Its nice to see more demention underneath the "super kind witch trying to help everyone" thing that Ame always has going on
The combined Aabria/Erika "yay-hey" around 1:05 might be one of my favorite sounds
Deeply harrowing episode y’all!! But such amazing character driven moments for each and every one of them, y’all are all such amazing storytellers ✨ I was especially struck by Ame bc What a way to be reminded the heart of Ame’s character is struggling with these ingrained concepts of self and purpose and how to move through these disparate worlds as an imperfect individual. Choosing again to model herself after the standard her grandmother set, to DO ‘Right’, and seeing a beautiful aspect of herself, this Kitsune covered in blood, that could be seen as antithetical to the kindness she’s devotedly cultivated, in spite of the pain and cruelty she’s endured, can coexist and reminds her to Be Cunning!! She is not like anyone else, she never has been!! Ame and Eursulon beating Keen bc he well and truly underestimated and was staggeringly ill-informed of their will and power and what makes them individuals instead of collectibles of a set was so fucking satisfying, what a CREEP btw! I doubted the move to go for the statue but never again bc I will trust that those chickens you’re swiping Erika are delicious, thank you for this meal!
Lol not a period to be seen… I’m so deeply in love with this story and world y’all have created. Thank you to everybody at WBN!!
God, the SATISFACTION at the end of this episode! Feels like listening to Ame really come into her own here. And Eursulon really finding his confidence as a spirit in the last few episodes has been so amazing!
Oh, the scene with Ame. *Chef's kiss.* Leaving a bunch of blank space to avoid spoilers: I think we're now starting to see Ame realize that, in a way, Mirara was right about Grandma Ren. The rolling pins, the cups of tea, the encouragement to be kind. These things are good, and necessary for a peaceful world. But these things do not *end wars*. These things do not work if the person you're trying to convince refuses to meet you at the table. Ren spent over a century traveling the world, trying her best to help people and solve problems. But even after all her efforts, the World's Heart still seemingly beats in rhythm to the drums of war. Perhaps, she was *too* kind, too stubborn to change her approach in the face of what was happening. I think we're seeing Ame realize that Ren, while a phenomenal person and amazing witch, still failed to mend the World's Heart. So it's time for a different approach. The time for the carrot has passed. The time for the stick is here.
I think we also see here, with Brennan's gentle condemnation of the goal for an individual's mantra to be "do right", that no one person can mend the world's heart on her own. That task is too vast and continual for any witch to accomplish on her own. In the end, community is not only the domain of the Witch of the World's Heart, but also the answer to how stewardship of that domain is accomplished.
With Yoren saying Steel couldn't handle that she wasn't actually "saving the citadel" and the fact that she told Suvi that Yoren killed her parents, I wonder if Steel has still been a somewhat true believer and this will be what breaks her out of that justification machine. Her daughter being accused of treason and the "soft arrest" that was definitely gonna have severe fallout could send her fully down the rabbit hole and get to the bottom of what actually happened to Soft & Stone (assuming she doesn't already know about it) I say severe fallout must have been guaranteed because Keen acted in a way that indicated that he didn't think he'd have to contend with Suvi for his actions against her friends
(With affection) hello, this episode was exhausting and exhilarating, how fucking DARE YOU
I was walking with my son, 10 months old, in his stroller whilst listening to this episode. When I got to THAT scene with Ame, I gasped audibly and started getting teary-eyed with chills running up my arms and spine, so much so that I woke my son up. What a masterclass in storytelling, worldbuilding, foreshadowing and roleplaying. No notes. Exquisite.
OMG same experience with my baby daughter a few months ago! 💕 one day 1000% gonna share this with our kids.
Continued is the experience of an incredible amount of goosebumps, broad grins, and mouth agape. Finishing this episode with tears in my eyes and an exhilarating shout of “YES!!” with a fist punching the air. Absolutely, breathtakingly phenomenal . Screw any medium that’s not the theater of the mind!
And stay down.
So many things to process!! But, I can’t stop thinking about the depth Erika is bringing to Ame. For me, the spirit fox scene just really brought to bear the difficulty Ame experiences balancing her disposition while holding the shifting weight of her station’s responsibilities. Wow! I’m super curious how facets of this scene opens new pathways and pitfalls for Erika to explore. Soooooooo gooooood!
I have never been so close to throwing up listening to this podcast as I was the moment I realized See Invisibility was in play 😩😩😩😭😭😭 God! Yal are too good at this!
Omigud, omigud, omigud! Brennan, you are freaking me out! They're in the basement of a butcher shop which is in the middle of imperial war preparing soldiers, and they just made a bunch of violent noises... and you call it THERE!?!? Honestly, I would have it no other way! :-D
Having just re listened to the children’s adventure and arc 1… the call backs are beautiful and add so richness and depth to the story telling of this episode. Immediately need to re listen because there was so much happening, and my brain was working so hard to take it all in… breath catching, beautiful, scary, thrilling, and a joy/terror to listen to. Thank you to everyone who makes this podcast happen… the sound design, the epic story telling. Also, a little sad I’m all the way caught up on the podcasts and the fireside chats. The time between is so sad for me.
i rewatched watership down this weekend and having “All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed” fresh in my mind for the ame bit really put me in my feelings lol
An incredibly poignant quote right now. I've got tattoo plans for it, a fox rather than a rabbit, and a little pride flag in it's mouth with the last sentence 🦊
This episode is incredible, and could've used a content warning
I was very grateful for spoiler free content warnings so I could listen after work. I’d have been fucked up listening to the first ten minutes then joining a Zoom call
I haven't finished the episode yet but "Do I know anything about you...? NAW." is such a good line delivery I had to pause my listen and come here and say something
aaaaand replaying immediately
I haven't even started and the title alone is giving me chills.
The episodes are long, but they never feel long enough. Amazing episode guys!
bro couldn’t even last a full minute against Ame and Eursulon 😭
Didn't even get twelve seconds 😂
I don't know if podcasts can win a grammy for sound design but if they can I would like to start the campaign for Taylor now!
Brennan said "all you hear are screams", which was horrifying and bone chilling, but my brain immediately turned it into "all I hear are screams" from EPIC the Musical, which did help take the edge off.
I can't explain how grateful I am that this didn't turn into an "I can fix him" "people can be persuaded into not being evil and cruel" type of thing. The kindest thing to do when dealing with those types of people is to choose to be kind to the world and make sure they can never hurt anyone else again.
the line delivery of "Nah, not really..?..?" Was,,, so good 😭
WOWWWW WHAT AN EPISODEEEEE
So so so so so so very happy and now needing it to be 2 weeks from now for the next episode 🥰
The fact Ame chose not to deal the optional necrotic damage for Witches Grasp... I mean she is a lot kinder than she gives herself credit for.
I can't breathe! PERFECTION! 🤩 I'm crying and laughing, thank you all for this gift!
Never have I been happier to have my birthday on a Tuesday
Happy birthday!
I DO NOT LIKE THE WIZARD KEEN.
You aren't Keen on him? Personally, I'm rather Split.
OMG….the best episode!!! I am still screaming in my apartment. That ending, split in half by wave breaker…my jaw is on the floor. Ame’s true spirit The Fox emraces her wisdom as she sinks her metaphorical teeth into Keen…and not to forget Suvi’s quest against the Citadel begins. I need to listen to this with others..in person..active discussions. I love posting here but seriously does anyone live in Milwaukee WI??
I know how you feel! I've been campaigning for months to get ppl in my life to listen! I lifted my sister-in-law 3 months to the Patreon 2.5 weeks ago and she still hasn't started it! Ug
BIG TW for animal... torture? Cruelty. And the sounds. So just... hopefully this can help steel at least one person against that cuz boy it sucked!
Very grateful for spoiler free content warnings because woof
Incredible!!!!! This was so stressful!! Really looking forward to this new side of Ame! That cackle at the end was truly chilling.
Obsessed with the 3 different reactions to Eioghorain's knife-tooth Lou: that was so gross Aabria: that was so cool Erika: that was so hot!
Erika’s “hot” reaction got me rolling😂
"Be cunning" is a thing I tell myself every day to get what I need, so this was cathartic af to hear.
Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed <3
Wow, what an episode!
AHHHHHHH!!! Ame!!!! The reflection 😭
Right!? Don't think we can let the ending overshadow how huge that scene was for Ame.
the penumbra phantasma…
Holy fuck. I promise I will use the form but I do have to scream here about how much I want that last scene animated. I know it's on the long end but HOLY FUCK! How satisfying.
That would be amazing…also the Fox spirit in the mirror
Petition to rename this episode "Satisfying as Fuck". Absolutely buzzing after this one. Taylor, you continue to blow me away every episode with how immersive these episodes are and how you can capture everything so perfectly... Suspense, creepiness, gore, joy, sorrow, and even somehow putting a bow on pure badassery. Chef kiss!
Cunning to the Core…
Thank. Fuck.
Literally no misses in this arc! Did anyone else find it interesting that Keen / the Glass Coronet did not seem to know about the Coven of Elders? I totally imagined them as a sort of covert intelligence faction under the royal family, so it seems strange to me that they wouldn’t be aware of the CoE in the way Steel and other Tower-wizards seem to be.
Compartmentalization - add that to the reality Steel only gained a smattering of context, and probably reported what she learned to the higher echelon of the Citadel - who have a proclivity towards secrets
Minor spoilers to follow. This episode is a heavy one. Make sure you're in the right space and mindset to handle it. Some content warnings include, but probably aren't limited to: Torture/sadism/cruelty Animal endangerment (with sound effects) Child endangerment/abuse (memory) Minor body horror The payoffs are worth it - but the cost of riding the ride are high as well. So make sure you're ready before jumping on board.
Updated with some rough timestampery Torture/sadism/cruelty (Throughout) Animal endangerment (with sound effects) (Largely throughout for general, sound effects at 9:59) Child endangerment/abuse (memory) (Starts around 24:00) Minor body horror (Multiple occasions as theoretical descriptions, 42:26 for act and sound effect, 54:44 for minor sound effect.)
Yahoo hloʻo Crackle Crackle. Can't wait to go down this latest Fox Hole by these amazing storytellers. Many thanks to all involved in helping bring these incredible tales to us!!
screaming crying throwing up
100%
Oh Ame, your AuDHD punished by the world is so captivating and beautiful and relatable
Lou yelling "JESUS, Brennan" made my whole day.
Hoooooboy that was an episode. Amazing payoffs - but damn there's an emotional cost of entry to reach them. Make sure you listen when you're in the right space.
🙏 Very grateful for spoiler free content warnings for this one. Woof
Yo Brennan what the fuck
Haven't watched yet and this is the first comment I see 😅 I know it's gonna be good now!
What a lovely way to wake up
I'm only 15m in but I need Keen to die - the more slowly and painfully, the better.
I'll give you the help action
Omgomgomg its here!
Hooooly shit that beginning. Spoiler Spoiler Content warning 9:59 - Torture and Fox screams
Followed by Ame screams
God, I love Tuesdays
Yes..yes..yes
That reaction when the ep drops a little earlier than normal... Didn't know I was capable of making such a high pitched squeal. I am so excited for this one!
Very heavy day today and I am so thankful for this little escape. Much love everyone!!!
I paused the Children’s Adventure episode I was already listening to so I could play the new WWWO episode that just dropped lol
I was replaying The Retinue…
Gonna listen to this episode with my new plush fox!
Happy birthday to meeeeee!!!
Happy birthday!
Thank you for this wonderful (and totally intentional) birthday present 😉 ♥️
Happy birthday!!!
Cheeeee!